Social media usage increased during Ramadan

A study conducted in collaboration with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and SODİMER revealed social media usage habits during the month of Ramadan. The nationwide study showed an increase in social media usage during Ramadan. While 56% of participants stated they use social media for 1 to 3 hours daily, approximately 22% reported using social media for more than 4 hours a day. To the question, “Do you approve of sharing iftar and suhoor meals on social media during Ramadan?” 65.7% responded with “I do not approve.” 

A social media usage study during Ramadan was conducted in partnership with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Social Media and Digital Security Education Research Center (SODİMER). A total of 537 participants from across Turkey took part in the study, which aimed to determine individuals' social media usage habits during Ramadan. Of the participants, 316 were women, making up 58.8%; while 221 male participants constituted 41.2% of the study. The average age of participants, ranging from 15 to 65, was 34.6. Of the participants, 279 were married, representing 52%, and 258 were single, representing 48%.

Many results were obtained in the study conducted under the direction of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty Member and SODİMER Scientific Board Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal and SODİMER President Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan.

In addition to demographic questions such as gender, age, marital status, and education level, the study also investigated social media usage habits and preferences, WhatsApp usage habits, what time of day it is used most, and what content is shared, as well as whether social media is used as a means to access religious content and information such as iftar times, prayer times, and zakat amounts. The results of the 20-question survey were as follows:

Social media usage increased during Ramadan

The study first investigated how users' social media usage changed during the month of Ramadan. To this end, 81% of individuals answered yes to the question posed to participants, “Did your social media usage time increase during Ramadan?”

Social media usage in Ramadan goes up to 4 hours

While 56% of individuals participating in the study stated that they use social media for 1 to 3 hours daily, approximately 22% stated that they use social media for more than 4 hours a day.

Instagram became the most used social media platform during Ramadan

When participants were asked which social media applications they used and were asked to answer with multiple choices; Instagram came in first (83.4%). Youtube was second (73.3%), and Twitter was third (53.4%). Facebook usage was 40.5%, Linkedin 24.1%, Pinterest 17.4%, Tik Tok 9.5%, and Snapchat 9.1%.

SODİMER President Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal evaluated the research results.

Previously, in 2017, a study on social media usage during Ramadan conducted by SODİMER President Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan was carried out with 174 university students and graduates aged between 21 and 55. The 2017 study also showed that visual-themed social media tools were more preferred. Instagram and Youtube stood out among social media platforms, and WhatsApp was determined to be used quite frequently as a messaging/communication tool. Similar results were observed in the 2022 study, with Twitter usage also determined to be around 50%. In the 2022 study, the current news follow-up rate is over 50%. Thus, it was observed that the use of Twitter, a social media application that has become a first-hand news source, is on the rise and is the 3rd most used social media platform.

In the previous study conducted by Eraslan, almost all of the group criticized the sharing of iftar and suhoor meals on social media during Ramadan, finding this situation wrong and unnecessary. In 2022, although the majority still criticized it, a 25% group gave the answer that it might be acceptable if not overdone. Those who did not approve constituted 65.7%.

The study also revealed that the practice of learning religious content from social media has continued since 2017. In the 2022 study, nearly half of the participants stated that they searched for answers to many questions on social media during Ramadan, such as calculating zakat amounts, finding people to give fitr and sadaqah to, and learning Eid prayer times.

The 2022 research results were as follows:

Social media usage durations in Ramadan:

Less than 1 hour: 16.6 (89 people)

1-3 hours: 56.1% (301 people)

4-6 hours: 22.3% (120 people)

More than 7 hours: 5% (27 people)

When the situation is examined; the social media usage rate of 4 hours and above per day exceeds 20%. The number of those who spend almost their entire day on social media, for 7 hours or more, is 27 people (5%).

Social Media Applications Used:

Instagram: 83.4

Youtube: 73.3

Twitter: 53.4

Facebook: 40.5

LinkedIn: 24.1

Pinterest: 17.4

Tik Tok: 9.5

Snapchat: 9.1

When participants were asked which social media applications they used and were asked to answer with multiple choices; Instagram came in first (83.4%). Youtube was second (73.3%), and Twitter was third (53.4%). Facebook usage was 40.5%, Linkedin 24.1%, Pinterest 17.4%, Tik Tok 9.5%, and Snapchat 9.1%. The social media graph during Ramadan was as follows:

Social media applications primarily used:

Instagram: 56.1

Twitter: 19.9

Youtube: 11.4

Facebook: 7.3

LinkedIn: 3.3

Others are preferred first at below 1%.

When do you check social media most often?

I check in all time slots, it doesn't matter: 34.8

Between morning and iftar: 30.4

Between iftar and suhoor: 28.9

In the time slot after suhoor: 6

When do you share on social media most often?

I check in all time slots, it doesn't matter: 39.4%

Between morning and iftar: 26.1

Between iftar and suhoor: 30.8

In the time slot after suhoor: 3.7             

Do you approve of sharing iftar and suhoor meals on social media during Ramadan?

I do not approve: 65.7

I approve: 8.9

I approve if not overdone: 25.5 

Do you think your social media usage time increased during Ramadan?

Yes, it increased: 81

No, it did not increase: 16.2

I suspend my social media usage during Ramadan: 2.8

Social media usage purposes before iftar

Following news: 4.7

For business purposes: 34.1

Watching TV series/movies: 25.7

Reviewing recipes: 24.1

Listening to music: 23.7

Following others: 22.6

Learning information such as iftar, suhoor, prayer times: 15.1

Taking and sharing photos, videos:  11.6

Playing digital games: 11.4

Reviewing hymns, prayers, religious content: 11

Sports content: 10.6

Following religious figures: 4.9

Aphorisms (concise, philosophical sayings): 4.9

Other option: below 1

Social media usage purposes after iftar

Following news: 51.3

For business purposes: 31.9

Watching TV series/movies: 30.8

Reviewing recipes: 8.4

Listening to music: 23.5

Following others: 24.6

Learning information such as iftar, suhoor, prayer times: 7.5

Taking and sharing photos, videos:  11.4

Playing digital games: 13.1

Reviewing hymns, prayers, religious content: 8.4

Sports content: 10.6

Following religious figures: 5.4

Aphorisms (concise, philosophical sayings): 5.4

Other option: below 1

When we compared social media usage purposes before and after iftar; although there wasn't much difference in participants' news following rate (around 50%) and business-related usage (around 30%) before iftar, the usage rate for reviewing recipes before iftar was 24.1%, while this rate dropped to 8.4% after iftar.

An increase was observed in TV series/movie watching rates after iftar. This rate, which was 25.7% before iftar, becomes 30.8% after iftar. However, there is no difference in music listening rates. Music listening habits did not differ before or after iftar.

Social media usage for religious purposes was found to be higher before iftar. The checking of information such as iftar time, suhoor time, and prayer times was 15.1% (81 people) before iftar, while it decreased to 7.5% (40 people) after iftar. Similarly, the rate of following hymns, prayers, and religious content is higher before iftar (11%; 59 people). After iftar; religious content was followed at a rate of 8.4% (45 people).

Playing digital games increases slightly after iftar. While it was 11.4% before iftar, this rate becomes 13.1% after iftar. Activities such as sports tracking and taking and sharing photos were observed not to differ before and after iftar.

WhatsApp usage

Messaging / Communicating: 92.9

Video calls: 5.4

4 people stated they mostly use it to check others' stories/statuses, and 3 people stated they make classic (non-video) calls using WhatsApp.

Did your social media usage change during Ramadan?

Yes, it changed: 21.7

No change: 78.3

What differences were there in social media usage during Ramadan?

I use it less: 17.4

Usage time/time slot changed: 12.1

The content I share changed: 4.5

I use it more: 8

Do you follow the social media accounts of religious figures during Ramadan?

Yes, I do: 18.8

No, I don't: 81.2

During Ramadan, do you search for answers to many questions on social media, such as calculating zakat amounts, finding people to give fitr and sadaqah to, and learning Eid prayer times?

Yes: 42.2

No: 57.8

Were there changes in TV series or movie watching habits during Ramadan?

Increased: 11.6

Did not increase: 75.2

I don't watch TV series/movies during Ramadan: 13.2